DESC:SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) TRANSMISSION MODULE AUTOMATICALLY AND METHOD TO OPERATE THE SAME
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure described herein, in general, relates to guided weapons like an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), etc. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a system for controlling a radio frequency (RF) transmission module of a guided weapon automatically and a method to operate the same.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] In the field of guided weapon, range safety may be assured by a system or module of the guided weapon which is intended to protect people and assets on both the guided weapon range and downrange in cases when such a guided weapon might endanger them. For the guided weapon deemed to be off course, range safety may be implemented by something as simple as commanding the guided weapon by a system or module to shut down the propulsion system of the guided weapon or by something as sophisticated as an independent Flight Termination System (FTS), which has redundant transceivers in the guided weapon that can receive a command to self-destruct then set off charges in the guided weapon to combust the propellants at an altitude. The former solution of assuring the range safety is more practiced. In the existing scenario, such commands sent by the module for shutting down the propulsion system of the guided weapon and ground the guided weapon are sent or controlled manually via a joystick. A typical example of one such commonly used module is a radio frequency (RF) transmission module. In manual control of such an RF transmission module, there are chances that proper range safety may not be achieved completely and the guided weapon may further show random behavior that is highly undesirable.
[0004] In view of the above-mentioned issues, there is a need to provide a solution that not only resolves the above-mentioned problems.
OBJECTSOFTHEDISCLOSURE
[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy are listed hereinbelow.
[0006] It is a general or primary object of the present disclosure to provide a system for controlling a radio frequency (RF) transmission module of a guided weapon automatically rather than controlling manually ensuring proper range safety and avoidance of random behavior by the guided weapon.
[0007] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method of operating the system for controlling the radio frequency (RF) transmission module of the guided weapon automatically.
[0008] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0009] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a system for controlling a radio frequency (RF) transmission module of a guided weapon automatically and a method of operating such a system for controlling an RF transmission module of a guided weapon automatically. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0010] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system for controlling a radio frequency (RF) transmission module of a guided weapon automatically. The system comprises a guidance unit and a control unit communicatively connected to the guidance unit via a signal conditioner in between. The guidance unit detects a first signal and a second signal. The control unit is configured to receive the first signal and the second signal from the signal conditioner, ascertain a deviation of the guided weapon from a predefined range of field of view based on a comparison between the received first signal and the second signal and generate a control signal to shut down an RF transmission from the RF transmission module in response to the deviation.
[0011] In an aspect, the signal conditioner is to condition the first signal and the second signal to a predefined voltage received from the guidance unit.
[0012] In another aspect, the system comprises a relay to which the generated control signal is transmitted to shut down the RF transmission from the RF transmission module.
[0013] In another aspect, the first signal is an infrared (IR) signal detected by a detecting means of the guided unit and the second signal comprises information regarding the position of the guided weapon in the field of view detected in real-time.
[0014] The subject matter disclosed herein also relates to a method of operating the above-disclosed system for controlling the radio frequency (RF) transmission module of the guided weapon automatically. The method comprises receiving, by a control unit via a signal conditioner of the system, a first signal and a second signal detected by a guidance unit of the system, ascertaining a deviation of the guided weapon from a predefined range of field of view based on a comparison between the received first signal and the second signal by the control unit and generating a control signal to shut down an RF transmission from the RF transmission module in response to the deviation by the control unit.
[0015] In an aspect, the method comprises conditioning the first signal and the second signal to a predefined voltage by the signal conditioner received from the guidance unit. The method further comprises transmitting, the generated control signal to a relay of the system to shut down the RF transmission from the RF transmission module.
[0016] In another aspect, the first signal is the infrared (IR) signal captured by the guidance unit of the guided weapon and wherein the second signal comprises the information regarding the position of the guided weapon in the field of view detected in real-time.
[0017] Therefore, the present disclosed auto-controlled RF transmission module and the method of controlling the RF transmission module ensures proper range safety and avoidance of random behavior by the guided weapon as compared with manual controlling.
[0018] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0019] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system for controlling a radio frequency (RF) transmission module of a guided weapon automatically in accordance with the present disclosure; and
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of operating a system for controlling an RF transmission module of a guided weapon automatically in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0023] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0025] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0026] The terminology used herein is to describe particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0027] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0029] Due to improper range safety and a random behavior by a guided weapon because of manually controlling a radio frequency (RF) transmission module of the guided weapon the present disclosure discloses an auto-controlled RF transmission module. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram 100 of a system for controlling an RF transmission module 102 of a guided weapon automatically. The guided weapon can be but not limited to an antitank and assault, air-to-surface, air-to-air, anti-ship, and surface-to-air missiles, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, rockets, etc. designed for any particular range. In a preferred embodiment, the guided weapon is an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM). The system comprises a guidance unit 104, a signal conditioner 106, a control unit 108 and a relay 110. The guidance unit 104 is located at a launch platform of the guided weapon. In an aspect, the guidance unit 104 comprises a detecting means for detecting a first signal 104a. In an aspect, the detecting means constitute sensors operable at any range and signal strength. The first signal 104a is an infrared (IR) signal which while being captured by the guidance unit 104 by the detecting means is illuminated from an IR bulb from the rear section of the guided weapon. The guidance unit 104 comprises a photocurrent amplifier (PCA) which amplifies the detected IR signal. The first signal 104a indicates the position of a target. The guidance unit 104 also detects a second signal 104b. The second signal 104b comprises information regarding the position (x, y, z, and ? coordinates) of the guided weapon in the field of view or line of sight by the means of calculating timing with the help of a novel algorithm implemented in the control unit 108 in real-time. In an aspect, the first signal 104a and the second signal 104b are analog signals. The control unit 108 is communicatively connected to the guidance unit 104 via the signal conditioner 106. The signal conditioner 106 conditions the first & second signal received from the guidance unit 104 to predefined voltages and then the control unit 108 receives the first signal 104a and the second signal 104b. In an aspect, the first signal 104a and the second signal 104b is conditioned from an analog signal say, ±4V, 22.5 kHz to a direct current (DC) predefined voltage ranging from +0.2 to +5 V. The signal conditioner 106 can be but not limited to signal filters, signal isolators, multiplexers, bridge conditioners, analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, frequency converters or translators, voltage converters or inverters, frequency-to-voltage converters, voltage-to-frequency converters, current-to-voltage converters. In a preferred aspect, the signal conditioner 106 used is a frequency-to-voltage converter. A ground battery 1 (GB1) signal 106a is sent by the signal conditioner 106 is selected to control RF transmission, which is passed through the relay 110 provided near the RF transmission module 102. The GB1 signal is used because of real-time synchronization with respect to the guided weapon launch response. The control unit 108 is used for receiving the conditioned first signal 104a and the second signal 104b, ascertain a deviation of the guided weapon from a predefined range of ±5m (maximum, from the line of sight) of field of view or line of the sight based on a comparison between the received first signal 104a and the second signal 104b and generate a control signal 108a to shut down an RF transmission from the RF transmission module 102 in response to the deviation i.e. if the position of the guided weapon is not within the field of view i.e. ±5m or if the guided weapon is not moving towards the target the propulsion system of the guided weapon is shut down by shutting down the RF transmission. The control unit 108 has a novel algorithm, that estimates or calculates the information regarding the real-time position of the guided weapon before and after the launch of the guided weapon, within and out of the field of view or line of sight. The guided weapon is then grounded. This way the control unit 108 receives two input signals and generates a single output signal 108a. In an aspect, the generated control signal 108a is of 5V that operates the relay 110. The generated control signal 108a is transmitted to the relay 110 which transmits a signal 110a which is a GB1 signal to the RF transmission module 102 to shut down the RF transmission from the RF transmission module 102. In an aspect, the relay 110 used can be of any type based upon its classification based on poles and throw, form and operation principles. In a preferred aspect, the relay 110 used is an SPST-normally closed (NC) terminal relay. The present disclosure thus enables proper range safety of the guided weapon automatically and also avoids any random behavior by the guided system. Also, the components of the system for controlling the RF transmission module 102 automatically are cheap thereby making the whole system cheap or economical.
[0030] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art can choose suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0031] FIG.2 shows a method 200 of operating a system for controlling an RF transmission module 102 of the guided weapon automatically. The method 200 comprises receiving, by a control unit 108 via a signal conditioner 106 of the system, a first signal 104a, and a second signal 104b detected by a guidance unit 104 of the system as represented by block 202. The first signal 104a and the second signal 104b are conditioned to a predefined voltage by the signal conditioner 106 received from the guidance unit 104.
[0032] At block 204, the method 200 proceeds with ascertaining, by the control unit 108, a deviation of the guided weapon from the predefined range of field of view based on the comparison between the received first signal 104a and the second signal 104b.
[0033] At block 206, the method 200 is ended with the generation of the control signal 108a to shut down an RF transmission from the RF transmission module 102 in response to the deviation by the control unit 108. The generated control signal 108a is transmitted to a relay 110 of the system to shut down the RF transmission from the RF transmission module 102. The relay 110 transmits a signal 110a which is a GB1 signal to the RF transmission module 102 to shut the RF transmission.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0034] The present disclosure provides a system for controlling an RF transmission module of a guided weapon automatically and the method of operating the system for controlling the RF transmission module automatically that ensures proper range safety and avoidance of any random behavior by the guided weapon which is not achieved with manual controlling.
[0035] The present disclosure provides a system for controlling an RF transmission module of a guided weapon automatically and the method of operating the system for controlling the RF transmission module automatically that is cheap or economical.
[0036] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present disclosure when combined within formation and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A system for controlling a radio frequency (RF) transmission module (102) of a guided weapon automatically, the system comprising:
a guidance unit (104) for detecting a first signal (104a) and a second signal (104b);
a control unit (108) communicatively connected to the guidance unit (104) via a signal conditioner (106) in between, the control unit (108) configured to:
receive the first signal (104a) and the second signal (104b) from the signal conditioner (106);
ascertain a deviation of the guided weapon from a predefined range of field of view based on a comparison between the received first signal (104a) and the second signal (104b); and
generate a control signal (108a) to shut down an RF transmission from the RF transmission module (102) in response to the deviation.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal conditioner (106) is to condition the first signal (104a) and the second signal (104b) to a predefined voltage received from the guidance unit (104).

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a relay (110) to which the generated control signal (108a) is transmitted to shut down the RF transmission from the RF transmission module (102).

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first signal (104a) is an infrared (IR) signal detected by a detecting means of the guided unit (104) and wherein the second signal (104b) comprises real-time information regarding the position of the guided weapon in the field of view.

5. A method (200) of operating a system for controlling a radio frequency (RF) transmission module (102) of a guided weapon automatically, the method (200) comprising:
receiving (202), by a control unit (108) via a signal conditioner (106) of the system, a first signal (104a) and a second signal (104b) detected by a guidance unit (104) of the system;
ascertaining (204), by the control unit (108), a deviation of the guided weapon from a predefined range of field of view based on a comparison between the received first signal (104a) and the second signal (104b); and
generating (206), by the control unit (108), a control signal (108a) to shut down an RF transmission from the RF transmission module (102) in response to the deviation.
6. The method (200) as claimed in claim 5, comprising conditioning the first signal (104a) and the second signal (104b) to a predefined voltage by the signal conditioner (106) received from the guidance unit (104).
7. The method (200) as claimed in claim 5, comprising transmitting the generated control signal (108a) to a relay (110) of the system to shut down the RF transmission from the RF transmission module (102).
8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first signal (104a) is an infrared (IR) signal captured by a detecting means of the guidance unit (104) and wherein the second signal (104b) comprises real-time information regarding the position of the guided weapon in the field of view